Oklahoma State University Athletics
Zac Robinson A Manning Award Finalist
December 02, 2008 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State quarterback Zac Robinson is one of 10 finalists for the 2008 Manning Award, presented to the nation's top quarterback, it was announced today.
The Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. The winner will be announced following the holiday bowl season. It is the only quarterback award that takes into consideration the candidates' bowl performances.
Robinson is enjoying one of the best years ever for an Oklahoma State quarterback, completing 177-of-264 passes for 2,735 yards and 24 touchdowns. His 2,735 passing yards ranks third on the single-season list and his 24 touchdown passes tie him for second.
Additionally, his leadership has been a catalyst in the Cowboys posting a 9-3 regular-season record that included a win at No. 3 Missouri and ties the school record for most wins in a regular season. With Robinson at quarterback, OSU has not lost to anyone ranked outside of the top 15 since October of 2007.
“I'm very excited to be included as a finalist for something as prestigious as the Manning Award and it's really a credit to my teammates and coaches that I'm in this position,” Robinson said. “Between the protection I get from the offensive line and the weapons that we have at the skill positions, it's a lot of fun to come out and play with this group of guys.”
The finalists were determined by a selected panel of national media covering college football, as well as each of the Mannings.
The first four winners of the Manning Award reads like a Who's Who list at the quarterback position. USC's Matt Leinart was the inaugural winner of the award in 2005, followed by Texas' Vince Young in 2006. Both went on to be top 10 NFL draft picks. In 2007, LSU's JaMarcus Russell earned the award and was the NFL's No. 1 draft pick. Last year, Boston College's Matt Ryan claimed the award, was drafted No. 3 and is now the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons.
2008 Manning Award Finalists
Zac Robinson (Oklahoma State)
Sam Bradford (Oklahoma)
Chase Daniel (Missouri)
Graham Harrell (Texas Tech)
Colt McCoy (Texas)
Tim Tebow (Florida)
Matthew Stafford (Georgia)
Mark Sanchez (USC)
Nate Davis (Ball State)
Brian Johnson (Utah)
